High Tech News and Information for Southern California

Friday, April 6, 2012Epicor Acquires Auto Parts Software FirmEpicor Software, the developer of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software which has major operations in Irvine, said Thursday that it has acquired Internet AutoParts (IAP), a developer of business-to-business e-commerce software for the automotive replacements parts distribution market. Epicor did not announce any financial terms of the acquisition. Internet AutoParts' software is used by automotive parts distributors and dealers to manage reordering of parts. Epicor is now headquartered in (More info...)

Couponler Launches Small Business Coupon SiteAre you a small business looking to help drum up some business? Los Angeles-based Couponler, a new website launched this week, is hoping to make it easier for small businesses to create online, printable-coupons, and share them via Facebook, Twitter, or a website. The new site was created by Baron Miller, Ian Kilpatrick, and Jason Eastwood. According to the site, its customer so far include frozen yogurt chain Golden Spoon, which posted a coupon from Couponler to its 37,000 fans on Facebook. The (More info...)

Broadcom Completes BroadLight AcquisitionIrvine-based Broadcom said late Thursday that it has completed its acquisition of BroadLight, the developer of networking and fiber access passive optical network (PON) processors. Broadcom said the deal was worth approximately $195M net of cash assumed. The deal had originally been announced on March 21st. Broadcom said it is using the acquisition to expand its broadband access product line, so that it can now offer and end-to-end GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) solution for its customer (More info...)

USC Entertainment Technology Center Names CEOThe University of Southern California's Entertainment Technology Center, which is part of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, said this week that it has named a new CEO. The center--which promotes and runs projects between the entertainment and technology industry--said it has appointed Kenneth S. Williams as CEO and Executive Director of the organization. Williams has previously served at Columbia Pictures and SOny Pictures, where he founded the Digital Studios Division and co-founded Sony Pictur (More info...)

Pxldust.com Launches Art, Photography Competition SiteHollywood-based Pxldust.com, a new web site focused on allowing artists and photographers to showcase their work, said this week that it is looking to let artists to compete for prizes and show off their artwork to others through its site. The site allows artists to submit their work, and have that work voted on by visitors, with the top artwork receiving various prizes, including gift cards, consumer electronics, and more. The site said it hopes that it will allow retail businesses to see what (More info...)

Paragon Software Wins NETGEARIrvine-based Paragon Software said this week that it has been selected by NETGEAR, to provide its NTFS for Linux technology for NETGEAR's Linux-based wireless routers. Paragon said its software is being used in NETGEAR's new N900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router. Paragon's software is being used to enable access to NTFS USB hard drives. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. Privately held Paragon is headed by Tom Fedro.

IT Open House / Job Fair at DreamHost LA, April 12thPeople can get the itch to move on to a new organization for a number
of reasons. Lacking growth potential, working on boring projects,
being underpaid, not having a femur bone to break into your
computer and retrieve files, are all valid complaints.

We've got a solution.

Who: DreamHost, AOL, Edgecast, Evite, Hulu and Oversee.net
What: A job fair of the finest variety
Where: 707 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 5050, Los Angeles CA 90017 (DreamHost HQ)
When: April 12th, 2012, from 6:30PM to 8:45PM
Why: Because ignorance is only bliss in the Matrix
Parking: Wherever you can find some close by

If youd like to attend, please RSVP here:
http://itopenhousela.eventbrite.com

Reliable Colocation and Dedicated Servers in LA: Colocation AmericaColocation America's line of internet related services includes dedicated server hosting and colocation with a high level of redundancy. We operate through 22 data centers around the United States, located in five major cities: Los Angeles  San Francisco  Chicago  New York  New Jersey.

Safire Partners Executive SearchSafire Partners has completed 150+ retained executive searches since 2006
working with emerging businesses in digital media, Internet, eCommerce,
software and clean technology across Southern California. Please visit
our website to see an updated list of our clients and searches completed
at http://www.safirepartners.com/. We are always interested in
meeting new candidates and potential clients, so feel free to email our
Managing Partner, Todd Gitlin at tg@safire.la. We can also always be a
friendly source for investor introductions and general market /
compensation intelligence.

Trinet White Paper: Options for handling your HR functionsHR is a necessity when you have employees. And what could be better than taking a set of duties  which although a necessity, are not a core competence  off your plate? According to a Small Business Association study, the average small business owner spends 25%+ of the time handling employee-related paperwork.

This average increases to a staggering 35-45% if the tasks include recruitment, hiring, and training of new employees. After all, you have no interest in processing payroll twice a month, negotiating benefits with insurance carriers, or worrying about how to comply with a litany of government regulations. You entered into business to build a lasting legacy, deliver great products or services, and generate revenue doing what you do best. So why NOT outsource HR? Read this paper to learn more.